Spring in Sax-Zim Bog filmed on April 25, 2024: Season FIVE of Virtually Live from Sax-Zim Bog begins with Sparky seeing what spring migrants have returned to northern Minnesota. Along McDavitt Road he finds TWO rarely seen behaviors…Mating Sandhill Cranes and two leaping Black Bears! We also see some crazy video clips of our 8-year old friend Blake who has an American Woodcock that has chosen him as a mate! Other avian highlights include cooperative Green-winged Teal, courtship display of the Broad-winged Hawk, and slow-motion Trumpeter Swans.
Sparky also encourages everyone to join Friends of Sax-Zim Bog’s big spring event called the Big Week. It runs from May 11-18.
Floating Blind Photography UNEXPECTED FINDS! Earth Day Floating Hide
Sparky and Ryan take their floating blinds out for some morning bird photography at Tobin-Kimmes Wetlands in Wisconsin. Curious Trumpeter Swans come very close and check out Sparky in his portable “muskrat house.” Great encounter with a close Hooded Merganser results in Sparky’s best photos of the female of this species ever! And finally, Sparky spends about 45 minutes with an unexpected guest as a Belted Kingfisher drops in on the marsh.
Lots of positive and exciting things going on in Sax-Zim Bog! Sparky spends some time with the Evening Grosbeak researchers David and Mallory as they track the birds with satellite transmitters.
We also enjoy one last look at the beautiful white male Snowy Owl that graced Sax-Zim with its presence for a few weeks before being hit and killed by a train.
Sparky interviews young brothers Ari & Asher from Tennessee about their trip, and also runs across Big Year birders Owen & Quentin whom share in a close Black-backed Woodpecker sighting.
In 2016 Arjan Dwarshuis of the Netherlands visited Duluth & Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota during his quest to see more birds around the world in one year than anyone else. And Sparky guides him on a wonderfully productive day in 2016 (December 15). They add 16 species to Arjan’s Big Year including Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak and many more.
Arjan’s book is finally out and it is a very enjoyable read. He highlights conservation efforts around the world…and shares his adventures and misadventures during his global Big Year. There is even a chapter about Sax-Zim Bog!
Early February in northern Minnesota’s Sax-Zim Bog. Despite being nearly snowless, the birds and wildlife are here in abundance—Ermine darting about and feeding, an unusual red phase Ruffed Grouse doing its balancing act high in the birches, and a one very patriotic Northern Hawk Owl.
Sparky also meets a future “Bog Buddy,” 8-year old Blake.
He also shares the results of the Tiny Bird Art auction 2024.
Sparky shares his Top Ten most memorable experiences from bird photography trips and wildlife photography expeditions in 2023. Plus there is a bonus “Most Memorable Moment” at the conclusion.
Bjorn surprised me when he said he wanted to go do some wildlife photograpy with me. You bet! So we went out to photograph ducks in Duluth in December (How’s that for alliteration?!). We went to a local cemetery where there are always a bunch of Mallards (and one Black Duck). He did great!
Public comments are being accepted until November 24, 2023 on the possibility of Wild (Feral) Horses being eliminated or severely reduced in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
These are the comments I made to the National Park Service:
“I am from the Duluth, Minnesota area but have Visited Teddy Roosevelt MANY times over the last 43 years. Some of my most MEMORABLE experiences had to do with the WILD HORSES. I am a wildlife photographer, videographer, author, naturalist, YouTuber. I am also the Executive Director of a land preservation non-profit.
Watching the behavior of different bands of horses is a mesmerizing experience. We once saw two stallions have a wild clash. And these are just simply stunning animals with a myriad of colors.
I refuse to call these horses “Feral.” They are WILD! And if you’ve ever had the fortune to sit and watch their behavior, you’d agree. These horses have survived in this harsh environment for many decades.
A “feral” animal is a dog that has ran away and lives on its own for part of its lifetime. These horses have been wild and free for generations. Teddy Roosevelt himself even noted their presence in the area!
From my understanding, their presence DOES NOT AFFECT BISON. This may be an excuse used by some to eliminate the horse herds.
They are part of the COLORFUL HISTORY of Teddy Roosevelt National Park and as such deserve a permanent home here.
I have NO PROBLEM with MANAGING the herd for inbreeding and health, but to reduce their numbers to such low levels will only increase problems with herd genetics.
Please, please, please consider eliminating this plan and concentrate on CREATING A HEALTHY HERD AND SAVING A FOREVER HOME FOR WILD HORSES IN TEDDY ROOSEVELT.
Sparky and Ryan travel west to Teddy Roosevelt National Park in mid October for some wildlife photography. And the wildlife is abundant! Coyotes, Wild Horses, Bison, Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Sharp-tailed Grouse and more. Part 1.
Clear skies create opportunity for backlit shots and other creative images.
May 1, 2024
Sparky Stensaas
thesparkygroup@gmail.com
